Before faith-based became a government initiative, Bishop W. L. Porter was already making the idea work at Greater Community Temple Church of God in Christ. And long before churches spread across three locations, he was pastoring three churches in three cities.

Bishop Willie Lee Porter

Mr. Porter, a former member of the General Board and prelate of the Central Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction of Tennessee, was the quintessential businessman and clergyman who founded the church at 924 N. Dunlap St. on the principles of community, according to his son, Brandon Porter.

Mr. Porter died Saturday (April 11) following a long illness. He was 83.

After more than 50 years in ministry, “He told my mom and me to let him go. I believe he hung around to make sure his job was done,” said Brandon Porter, who will succeed his father as prelate of the Central Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction of Tennessee.

The elder Porter organized the Central Jurisdiction in 1981, and according to COGIC, it is the largest COGIC jurisdiction in the state. He was a “tremendous force throughout COGIC and has served in several capacities,” the church said in a statement.

One of 12 children, Mr. Porter was a family man who spent quality time with his four children when he wasn’t on the road doing church work, Brandon Porter said.

“When I was born, he was pastoring 4 hours away in Clarksville (Tenn.). It was interesting, because he was on the go a lot. As a child, we were raised in the car going to church.”

Mrs. Ida M. Porter said being married to Mr. Porter for 55 years was a union that had the Lord’s blessing. “The Lord blessed us with wisdom. We had to pray and fast a lot that God would assist us,” the 81-year-old widow said.

She said they worked together and supported each other in ministry and as a family to ensure their four children would be taken care of, first and foremost.

“He left a solid foundation and generations of spiritual sons and daughters,” Mrs. Porter said. “I’m feeling down on the inside, but God fixed it for me to have so many friends and relatives.”

She said Brandon Porter had been groomed to walk in his father’s footsteps. “He got his daddy’s spirit. He loved his daddy and walked flat into his footsteps.”

“He taught me and mentored me,” his son noted. “I’ve always been impressed with my father’s work ethic, strength and faith. I learned to be confident as well.”

Just like his father, Brandon Porter is the pastor of a church in three locations: Greater Community Temple COGIC on Dunlap, in Cordova, and on Winchester.

“I can do several things at one time because that’s what he did,” Brandon Porter said. “I had to realize my own destiny. My success is because I focused on my father’s success.”      

COGIC officials said Bishop Porter was key to its growth. He worked with COGIC’s founder, Bishop C.H. Mason, and other national leaders for decades.

Mrs. Porter said her husband didn’t have a whole lot of material possessions, but he left a legacy that will endure and one that her children can take pride in.

Aside from being a church builder and gospel crusader, he was a community servant, she said. “He was the kind of person who would help anybody and would share what he had.”

His spirit and community involvement was church-centered, added Brandon Porter. “He was faith-based before there was faith-based,” he said. “At the church, you could pay your MLGW bill, pick up your food stamps, get your GED and he had one of the largest day care centers.”

Mr. Porter’s work in ministry was just as important as family, said Brandon Porter, who noted his community-centered parents missed his high school graduation.

“They were at the National Women Convention. But they did make my college graduation,” he remembers.

Although quality time was a premium, “it was late at night, because he would get up real early and do business,” Brandon Porter said.

Mr. Porter leaves his wife and four children: Brandon Porter, Willie Lee Porter Jr., Dale Porter, and Renita Porter; 11 grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.

Mr. Porter will be interred in Memorial Park Cemetery, 5668 Poplar Ave. N.J. Ford & Sons Funeral Home, 12 South Parkway West, has charge.

Mr. Porter’s homegoing celebration is as follows:

• Public Viewing, Thursday, April 16, from noon to 4 p.m. at Greater Community Temple Church of God in Christ, 924 North Dunlap St.

• Public Viewing, Thursday, April 16, at 6 p.m., at Greater Community Temple Church of God in Christ, 5151 Winchester Road. The Jurisdictional Service will follow at 7 p.m.

• The National Homegoing Celebration, Friday, April 17, 11 a.m., at Mason Temple Church of God in Christ World Headquarters, 930 Mason St.